 |
Jesse Ayers |
Rachel Weeping for her Children: September 11, 2001
Veni Emmanuel
| Instrumentation | 2 (dlb picc), 2, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4, 3, 3, 1 -- Timp, 3 perc -- Harp -- Strings -
OPTIONAL SATB chorus. Can be adapted for multiply choirs, see web links for info. |
| Length | 8:30 |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Comments | This setting of the 15th century tune Veni Emmanuel, (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel) is designed to be a dramatic procesional to open a Chirstmas program. Although composed to be performed with choir, all choral parts are crossed-cued in the instrumental parts so that it may be performed without singers.
It begins dark and sombre and grows progressively brighter and more cheerful and finally festive. After the first statement of the words "Rejoice! Rejoice!" the listener will hear the brass briefly quote the hymn " Crown Him With Many Crowns." The piece closes softly, with a solo trumpet asking the question "What wondrous love is this?"
It also supports the use of multiple choirs for institutions with large choral programs.
Verse 1: Unison men (can be sung by the men's choir)
Verse 2: SSAA (can be sung by the women's choir)
Verse 3: SATB (can be sung by the mixed choir)
Verse 4: SSAATTBB (can be sung by all choirs) |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com
info@jesseayers.com |
| Extras | Information and at http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_home.php |
| History | Conductor comments:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_comments.php
Performance history:
http://jesseayers.com/Works/Veni/veni_perform.php |
| Contributor | the composer |
| Other | |
Dance of the Mountain Raindrops
...and they gathered on Mount Carmel (full instrumentation)
| Instrumentation | 2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4662 -- pno -- timp+5 -- optional women's chorus -- strings |
| Length | 25 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | A dramatic, surround-sound work in three movements based on the Old Testament account of the confrontation between the prophet Elijah and the false prophets of Baal. The brass are divided into two antiphonal choirs on either side of the audience. There are a few other players behind the audience providing echos and special effects.
"I have conducted this work on several occasions and it always blows the audience away!" -- Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, Valparaiso University |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_0/carmel_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Performed numerous times in the band version.
Band version selected by international jury to represent the United States at World Music Days (Slovenia) 2003. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
Fanfare for Christmas Morning
| Instrumentation | 2222 -- 4331 -- 1-3 snare drums (doubling same part), bass drum, cymbals -- strings |
| Length | 1.5 minutes |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Comments | Ruffles and flourishes on "Joy to the World." A festive opener for a Christmas/holiday concert. Band and orchestral version are in the same key to enable joint performances. Key is D major, same as carol, so that a segue can be made into an audience sing of "Joy to the World." |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Fanfare_Christmas/Fanfare_Christmas_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | mp3 at above links |
| History | Warren Symphony Orchestra, David Daniels, conducting
Malone College Symphonic Band, Cynthia Bridges, conducting |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
Jericho
| Instrumentation | 4 (incl picc, alto, & opt. bass flutes), 2+1, 2+1, 1+1 -- 4641 -- 6 perc -- 2 elec keyboards -- piano -- harp (optional) -- optional SATB chorus -- strings -- offstage string choir (22200) -- narrator |
| Length | 16 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | A dramatic surround-sound work with narration based on the Old Testament account of the battle of Jericho. Unorthodox audience participation. Haunting special effects.
"The most imaginative, unusual and successful work I have ever performed in 33 years of conducting"—Dr. Richard Fischer, Concordia University Chicago
"Last night [in Little Rock], almost the entire audience was in tears after Jericho." from email from Rich Fischer, March 5, 2006 |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Jericho/Jericho_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Band version performed 11 times around the U.S. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
...and they gathered on Mount Carmel (reduced instrumentation)
| Instrumentation | 2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- optional women's chorus -- strings |
| Length | 25 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | See same title, full instrumentation for comments. The reduced instrumentation version sacrifices the antiphonal brass choirs for the sake of hiring fewer musicians (only one brass section, on stage.) |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_0/carmel_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | see comments for same title, full instrumentation version |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
The Incantations of the Prophets of Baal (full instrumentation)
| Instrumentation | 2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4662 -- timp+5 -- piano -- strings |
| Length | 7.5 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | Multiple layers of rhythmic patterns of differing lengths which move in and out of phase over an ever quickening harmonic cycle are used to create a hypnotic, rhythmic vitality reflecting this ritualistic dancing. The music grows increasingly wilder and more frantic as the movement progresses.
A good percussion section will love this piece.
A reduced instrumentation version is available. |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_1_Incantations/incantations_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Numerous performances in the band version. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
The Incantations of the Prophets of Baal (reduced instrumentation)
| Instrumentation | 2-1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- strings |
| Length | 7.5 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | Multiple layers of rhythmic patterns of differing lengths which move in and out of phase over an ever quickening harmonic cycle are used to create a hypnotic, rhythmic vitality reflecting this ritualistic dancing. The music grows increasingly wilder and more frantic as the movement progresses. |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_1_Incantations/incantations_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Numerous performances of the band version |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
The Prayer of Elijah
| Instrumentation | Solo horn or solo euphonium with orchestra.
2002 -- 2020 -- 3 perc -- piano -- strings
Several extras twirl "whistling tubes" from behind the audience. Visit web site links for explanation and to hear mp3. |
| Length | 8 minutes |
| Difficulty | soloist moderate, orchestra easy |
| Comments | A surround-sound work. Two trombones echo the soloist from the two rear corners of the hall. |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_2_Prayer/prayer_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Numerous performances in band version |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
The Fire of the Living God (full instrumentation)
| Instrumentation | 2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4662 -- timp+5 -- piano -- optional women's chorus -- strings
Several extras who twirl "whistling tubes" from behind audience. See web site links for explanation and mp3. |
| Length | 9 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | Massive blocks of rhythmically active sound are juxtaposed against each other. This piece consistently draws a very strong, positive reaction from the audience and performers alike. Because of this, most conductors have programmed this as their closing work.
The band version was selected for performance by international jury at World Music Days 2003 (Slovenia). |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_3_Fire/fire_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Numerous performances in band version around the U.S. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
The Fire of the Living God (reduced instrumentation)
| Instrumentation | 2+1, 2+1, 2+1, 2+1 -- 4331 -- timp+3 -- piano -- optional women's chorus -- strings
Several extras who twirl "whistling tubes" from behind audience |
| Length | 9 minutes |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Comments | Massive blocks of rhythmically active sound are juxtaposed against each other. This piece consistently draws a very strong, positive reaction from the audience and performers alike. Because of this, most conductors have programmed this as their closing work.
Band version selected by international jury for performance at World Music Days 2003 (Slovenia) |
| Sources | http://jesseayers.com/Works/Carmel_3_Fire/fire_home.php
http://jesseayers.com/works.php#orchestra |
| Extras | |
| History | Numerous performances in band version around the U.S. |
| Contributor | Jesse Ayers, composer
jesseayers.com |
| Other | |
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